Is New Haven or West Haven Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Haven is safer than New Haven (Safety Score 62/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,343 per 100,000 versus 4,123 for New Haven — 67% lower. New Haven has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where West Haven has a 81% lower rate.
Note: New Haven is 2.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
New Haven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Haven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New Haven, CT
West Haven, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New Haven | West Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,123.3 | 1,342.5 | +2,780.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 536.3 | 104.4 | +431.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 3.7 | +7.3 |
| Rape Rate | 32.1 | 14.7 | +17.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 180.7 | 40.3 | +140.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.1 | 45.8 | +265.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,587.1 | 1,238.1 | +2,348.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 377.4 | 122.7 | +254.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,402.3 | 838.9 | +1,563.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 807.3 | 276.6 | +530.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Haven or West Haven safer?
West Haven is safer with a total crime rate of 1,343 per 100K vs 4,123 for New Haven — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New Haven has a violent crime rate of 536.3 per 100K while West Haven has 104.4. West Haven has lower violent crime.
About New Haven, CT
Home to Yale University since 1701, New Haven is a coastal city in south-central Connecticut. Its diverse population is roughly 135,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 137,243, New Haven has a total crime rate of 4,123.3 per 100,000 residents.
About West Haven, CT
West Haven, a coastal city in New Haven County, is home to the University of New Haven. Its long shoreline along Long Island Sound is a defining geographic feature. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 54,598, West Haven has a total crime rate of 1,342.5 per 100,000 residents.